Bredwardine is one of the loveliest and most peaceful villages in the whole Wye Valley, a tranquil spot on the banks of the river in rural Herefordshire, and the perfect base for a gentle short walking break. Sitting right on the route of the Wye Valley Walk, roughly midway between Hay-on-Wye and Hereford, it offers easy access to some of the finest and most varied riverside and countryside walking in the Marches, all at a properly relaxed pace.
The village has a genuine literary claim to fame, as the one-time home of Francis Kilvert, the Victorian clergyman and diarist whose beautifully observed journals of rural life in the Welsh Marches remain a beloved classic of English nature writing. Kilvert served as curate at Bredwardine’s St Andrew’s Church, where he is also buried, and his descriptions of the surrounding countryside, its people, seasons and quiet corners, still ring true to anyone walking these lanes today.
Above the village rises Merbach Hill, a modest but properly rewarding climb offering views said to take in as many as eleven counties on a clear day, along with a wonderful panorama across the Herefordshire Plain and back towards the Black Mountains. Close by lies Arthur’s Stone, an atmospheric Neolithic burial chamber dating back some five thousand years, long associated with the legend of King Arthur and said to have inspired C. S. Lewis’s stone table in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Set on a ridge above the beautiful Golden Valley, it makes a wonderfully evocative destination for a walk.
Down by the river itself, the Wye offers gentler, equally rewarding walking, past the gardens of Brobury House and the curious oxbow loop known as the Monnington Mile, with plenty of opportunities to spot herons, kingfishers and, with a little luck, otters along the water’s edge. The whole area combines a real sense of history and legend with genuinely beautiful, unhurried scenery, making it an ideal spot to slow down for a couple of days.
With Hay-on-Wye itself just a short distance away for those wanting to extend their explorations, Bredwardine offers a wonderfully complete short break, gentle enough for families and less experienced walkers, yet full of genuine interest for anyone who takes the time to look a little closer.
A short break in Wales is just the ticket if you are looking to relax but only have a couple of days to spare. We take care of all the arrangements, so all you need to do is turn up and enjoy a gently paced, eco-friendly short holiday in one of the greenest corners of the UK, ideal for families and ramblers alike. There are no set departure dates, simply let us know when you would like to begin your break. Our Weekend on the Wye package includes pick-up and drop-off at either Abergavenny or Hereford railway station at the start and end of your holiday, two nights’ accommodation in quality B&Bs and guesthouses, daily luggage transfer, emergency vehicle back-up, custom maps highlighting your walk day by day and marking local facilities, a comprehensive route guide with directions and background information, and a first aid kit.
Day 1: Arrive in Bredwardine Settle into your accommodation in this peaceful riverside village, and take some time to visit St Andrew’s Church, resting place of the diarist Francis Kilvert, before dinner.
Day 2: Riverside walk along the Wye A gentle day exploring the banks of the Wye, passing Brobury House Gardens and the curious Monnington Mile, with plenty of opportunities to spot local wildlife along the water’s edge.
Day 3: Arthur’s Stone and the Golden Valley A shorter walk up onto Merbach Hill and across to the ancient burial chamber of Arthur’s Stone, with sweeping views over the Golden Valley and towards the Black Mountains, before making your way home.
(Itinerary shown as an example – walks and pacing can be adjusted to suit fitness levels and interests, and this break combines well with a visit to nearby Hay-on-Wye for those wanting to extend their stay.)
